Are you expecting a new member in your family? Do you tend to worry about your unborn child constantly? Are you worried what kind of food is safe for you to eat so that your baby is safe within you?
Most doctors advise expecting mothers to refrain from eating deer meat. Unclean and uncooked venison can cause severe illnesses in expecting moms and affect the mother as well as the fetus! Read our post to get a vivid idea of the risks associated with eating deer meat during pregnancy.
Nutritional Facts Of Venison During Pregnancy:
Eating a well-balanced diet is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. It is not only good for you, but it is also good for the development of your little one. Venison is a rich source of protein. 100 grams of cooked venison offers 30 grams of protein. Normally a pregnant woman requires 71 grams of protein every day, and if she eats deer meet, then about 30% of the protein is available from venison itself. However, all the nutritional value of the meat goes waste if you fail to cook it properly. In short, it can do more harm than benefit to you and your unborn baby (1).
Risks Associated With Eating Deer Meat During Pregnancy?
Can you eat deer meat while pregnant? Well eating uncooked or raw venison leads to diseases that are harmful to the unborn baby. Toxoplasmosis is one such disease that occurs due to a parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The disease is an infection of the blood and can cause many pregnancy complications. In case you develop Toxoplasmosis, then the risks associated with the same include:
Apart from Toxoplasmosis, other diseases that occur due to uncooked deer meat include salmonellosis and E. Coli. These infections are life threatening to the fetus.
Symptoms Of Toxoplasmosis:
- Most expecting mothers who contract Toxoplasma gondii show no symptoms till the end.
- Some people may feel feverish and usually consider it as the flu or general illness.
- The infected person may experience symptoms like reduced vision, redness of the eye, pain in the eyes, etc.
- The infant who gets infected from the womb showcases serious brain or eye damage right from the birth (2).
Precautions:
- Cook your meat properly to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Do not taste the meat while cooking. Do it only after the meat is cooked properly.
- Freeze deer meat for long so that there are minimal chances of infection. The temperature should be 0° F so that there are minimal chances of infection.
- Wash knives and the cutting board with hot water and soap after chopping the meat.
- Wash your hands properly after cutting and cooking the meat.
- Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Do not eat uncooked mussels, clams, and oysters.
If you eat venison, then you should ask the doctor to test you for Toxoplasmosis. If you test positive, your gynecologist will prescribe medicines for the same to ensure you and your mother’s safety. Do take the precautions above to avoid any pregnancy complications. Remember that meat is good for health, but you need to take adequate safety measures and cook it properly. A small precautionary measure from your end will ensure the safety of your baby.
If you have more information about eating deer meat while pregnant and the diseases that can be caused, then share it with us. It might help a lot of people on our portal. Leave a comment below and tell us your story here.
